This was accomplished through the provision of leak detection, water efficiency, and smart monitoring services for public sector organisations such as NHS Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Government.

The effort resulted in saving more than 1.365 billion litres of water within a year, an equivalent volume to 546 Olympic swimming pools. These savings also translated to significant energy conservation, reducing carbon emissions by 574,778 kg – a figure comparable to removing 438 single passenger flights from Edinburgh to New York.

Jo Dow, chief executive of Business Stream, said: “We’re really pleased to have delivered significant savings for Scotland’s public sector again this year.

“Our experience in working with the sector has allowed us to develop a suite of services and solutions that are helping the sector to reduce costs, save time and generate environmental efficiencies. We’re looking forward to delivering further savings in the year ahead.”

With a workforce of 350, Business Stream was granted the Scottish Government Public Sector Water and Waste Water Framework contract in early 2020, a deal worth £200 million over three years. The contract was extended for an additional year in 2022, benefitting other organisations such as the Scottish Prison Service, universities, colleges, and local authorities.

Over the years, the company has progressively increased public sector savings, from £1.4 million in 2021 to £2.2 million in 2022.

A spokesperson from the Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate utilities team, said: “Business Stream has continued to work with the public sector to identify water efficiency opportunities.

“This pro-active approach has reduced water consumption and provided financial savings for public sector customers of the Water and Waste Water Framework. Reducing cost and carbon impact is essential for supporting Scotland’s green economic recovery and helping us on our journey to a Net Zero Nation.”

In addition, Business Stream recently granted £50,000 through its annual Public Sector Scotland (PSS) Water Efficiency Fund to six public sector initiatives, contributing to water conservation and promoting green economic recovery.

This year’s successful candidates of the Fund include a Heriot-Watt University initiative to install a water chiller unit to cool, condense and recirculate used water; the installation of modern, electronic low-flow taps at Glasgow Caledonian University; and the fitting of waterless urinals and aerator tap technology at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University.

Ms Dow added: “The Water Efficiency Fund plays a key role in identifying and funding innovative ways to minimise water waste and generate efficiency savings. Our investment in these projects highlights our commitment to supporting Scotland’s public sector.”

Originally created in 2006 to offer best in class water services to businesses in Scotland, Business Stream later acquired the non-household customer base of Southern Water ahead of the planned opening of the English retail water market.

That market change in 2017 paved the way for 1.2 million businesses and public bodies in England to be able to choose their water supplier. In 2019 Business Stream acquired the customer base of its competitors Yorkshire Water Business Services (YWBS) and Three-Sixty, doubling its market share.

Business Stream has its HQ in Edinburgh, as well as a presence in Worthing, West Sussex and in Bradford, West Yorkshire. It is guided by its vision to make a positive difference to its customers, its people, the environment and local communities.

Since launching that vision in 2019, the retailer has introduced more than 30 initiatives, including a 20% water efficiency pledge to help customers reduce water usage. It has also invested in a tree-planting programme which has delivered an additional 10,000 trees in Scotland.

The savings success comes after Business Stream recently halved its carbon emissions in just one year, exceeding the retailer’s pledge to cut emissions by 20% over the same period.